Breeders Reveal the Reality of Pedigree Cat Business
Breeders and their cats are showcased from the recent exhibition in Yaroslavl.
In Yaroslavl at the end of December, an International Cat Show took place. We visited the event to chat with breeders of fluffy pets and learn the nuances of their work.
The exhibition gives pets the opportunity to compete with each other in contests and rings, receiving prizes. Owners can at this time check the cattery«s representatives for compliance with breed standards and present kittens for sale.
It turns out that kittens born in catteries are divided into two categories: for breeding and for pets. The first are more expensive, as it is assumed that the pet will become a breed representative and produce offspring. Those sold as pets are already neutered/spayed and cannot continue the lineage.
British Shorthairs from Kostroma
Sergei came to the exhibition in Yaroslavl from neighboring Kostroma. There, the man is the chairman of a cat lovers« club, founded in 1989, and a representative of the Brit Pride cattery, which deals with British breed cats.
Sergei«s main occupation is jewelry making. Breeding cats is his hobby; he does not consider it a business.
According to the breeder, it«s better to assess a cat»s breeding potential after one year. It«s hard to tell from a small kitten whether it can become a breed producer.
«It happens like in Andersen»s fairy tale «The Ugly Duckling»: at first you can«t look at the kitten without tears, but then it grows into a beauty. We always ask owners to send photos of how their pets have changed,» said the Kostroma resident.
According to Sergei, male cats can breed until about 10 years old, while female cats can produce kittens until around 6 years old. British pets sold as companions cost from 30,000 rubles (approximately $330 at current rates), for breeding—over 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,100 at current rates), with the price depending on breeding qualities.
«Those animals that go into breeding work are, roughly speaking, stars that are carefully selected from many. That»s the work of the cattery. To get a great cat, you need to breed two great animals. The requirements are always very strict, especially for the father,« explained Sergei.
British cats are often considered unfriendly and unaffectionate. Sergei asserts that this is a myth. According to him, everything is in the owner«s hands; you need to work with the pet.
«The Mission is to Give Happiness»
Maria from Yaroslavl has been breeding cats for over 10 years. The European Burmese breed interested her 2.5 years ago. Since then, the breeder has very much wanted to popularize it.
«It»s always sad to sell older kittens; I cry every time. But I know that the breeder«s mission is to give happiness, to connect human and Burmese hearts. Without exaggeration, this is the most affectionate and loving breed,» Maria said.
The Yaroslavl native has her own construction company; she breeds cats for the soul. One Burmese kitten costs about 80,000–90,000 rubles (approximately $880–$990 at current rates). Potential owners undergo strict selection; Maria does not sell cats to those with primary school-aged children (under 10 years old), although the breed gets along well with them.
Maria also conducts lessons for pets: teaching them to calmly accept bathing in the tub, not to be afraid of sounds, and to catch birds.
«They Remind Me of Dogs»
Breeder Marina from Rybinsk always loved dogs, but when she saw cats of the Kurilian Bobtail breed, she realized she wanted to breed them. Thus, the Sea of Heat cattery was born.
«I fell in love with them; they remind me of dogs. They become very attached to people, are very sociable, choose one owner and remain loyal to them for life,» the breeder explained.
Breeding Bobtails is Marina«s main occupation, but it doesn»t bring much profit. One kitten costs about 35,000–40,000 rubles (approximately $385–$440 at current rates). The cattery for her means more a love for animals.
«Took First Places»
Yaroslavl native Anna by profession is a veterinary doctor; breeding Bengal cats is her hobby. Kittens cost from 40,000 rubles (approximately $440 at current rates). The breed has several color varieties: snow mink, snow color point, classic golden, and silver.
«The breed is very active; cats always demand attention, don»t like to sit home alone,« the breeder said.
Anna«s cats took first places at the exhibition among Juniors.
Juniors is one of the age classes for cats. Pets from 6 to 10 months fall into this group. There are also the Kitten class (from 3 to 6 months), Open class (cats over 10 months old participating in an exhibition for the first time), and the Neuter class (representatives over 10 months old that are neutered/spayed).
«More Money Goes on Maintenance»
Svetlana from Yaroslavl has been breeding cats for about 8 years. Her choice fell on the Cornish Rex breed, thus the Solrex cattery was born. Svetlana«s pets became the face of the exhibition and were featured on the poster.
«The breed is quite healthy; there are rarely any serious diseases, so I decided to breed them. Also, I don»t really like couch potatoes; I love energetic ones who like to play,« Svetlana explained.
By main profession, the Yaroslavl native is a deputy financial director; breeding cats is her hobby. A representative of the Cornish Rex breed costs about 60,000 rubles (approximately $660 at current rates). According to Svetlana, you can«t build a business on this.
«I looked at the spending analysis on the marketplace in the »Animals« section and saw an amount of around 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,300 at current rates). What kind of business is this? More money goes on maintaining the pets,» the breeder shared.
«Huge Investments»
The image shows Nautilus, a seven-month-old cat from the show.
Olga from Yaroslavl works as an administrator at a hunting and fishing base; not long ago, she decided to breed the Canadian Sphynx breed. Such kittens cost about 130,000 rubles (approximately $1,400 at current rates) with the possibility of breeding.
«The price depends on appearance. It»s difficult and costly to build a business on this; huge investments are required,« Olga said.
According to the breeder, Canadian Sphynxes are very friendly, interesting, and amusing, and they get along well with children. That«s precisely why she decided to breed this specific breed.
Earlier, we published an adorable photo report from the exhibition, which can be viewed here.
